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Kananaskis Village Loops Trail Snowshoe - Hiking Alberta

By Barry
31 / Jan / 2013

A scenic snowshoe loop from Kananaskis Village in Kananaskis Country, Alberta,Canada.

The turn off Kananaskis Trail(Hwy 40) in Kananaskis Country, just a short distance north from the well-equipped Kananaskis Emergency Services Centre, is the same for Nakiska Ski Resort and Kananaskis Village. Within a few meters, the views from the bridge over Kananaskis River warrant a pause for photographs.

Looking south along Kananaskis River towards Mount Kidd from the bridge in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.

Looking north towards Mount Lorette along the Kananaskis River from the bridge in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.

A short distance further, a turn left passes the entrance to Ribbon Creek Hostel and continues on a winding, uphill, paved road called Centennial Drive, to Kananaskis Village. There is a magnificent view of Mount Allan along the way with Coal Mine Scar visible near the bottom of my photo. Centennial Drive also passes the entrance to the Helicopter Landing Pad.

Mount Allan as viewed from Centennial Drive at Kananaskis Village in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada.

At Kananaskis Village (Elevation 1,524 m - 5,000 ft), there is a right turn at Terrace Drive which loops around the edge of Kananaskis Village to parking near Mount Kidd Manor. The best parking spot is as far to the right as possible in the second lot. It is worth the time to visit Woody's Pub, the skating rink (pond in the summer), and other amenities at Village Centre. Snowshoes can be rented here at Kananaskis Outfitters. They have a good supply of the essentials and guided tours are available.

The trail-head is marked by a blue pole with the standard red-orange, diamond-shaped snowshoe trail marker and the trail veers left, next to cross-country ski tracks, which skirt the edge of the sports field.

Trail marking, on this day, is challenging. On arrival at the trail junction of Terrace Trail and Village Rim Trail, there is no help. The Village Loops Snowshoe Trail is to the left of the Terrace Trail and descends into forest. There is one trail marker but I need to search for it. Once underway, the trail is well-trodden and well-defined.

Markers seem infrequent and there are many subsidiary routes. Views of surrounding mountains, past Kananaskis River, are outstanding as the snowshoe trail tracks the top of the ridge. Offshoot trails lead to viewpoints where impressive photo opportunities unfold. It is not intuitively obvious where the real Village Loops Snowshoe Trail continues. Diamond-shaped markers are replaced with tape. A key winter trails sign is missing on this day. The post is empty.

A snow storm is forming to the south in Kananaskis Valley and slowly moving towards my position.

The south loop of Kananaskis Village Loops Snowshoe Trail dips, twists and rises through a mixture of deciduous and evergreen forest in a clockwise direction.

An offtrail diversion to a viewpoint shows the snow storm gaining momentum and blocking the view of mountains to the south.

The south loop turns north onto relatively straight trail with mild ascent until it mercifully arrives near a junction with the Kovach Trail ski track at Terrace Trail. Here, there is a clear trail sign to indicate the north loop begins on the other side of the ski track.

The route is initially marked with red flags and the occasional, sporadic diamond-shaped marker. Prior traffic defines the route and elevation gain increases more dramatically until the next intersection at the picnic table, familiar from the hike to the Mount Kidd Abandoned Fire Lookout. Along this route there are excellent views of Mount Kidd, looming above open, wind-swept, fields of snow. An obvious and marked sharp right turn near the picnic table at the junction of ski routes on Aspen Trail and Kovach Trail leads to the final leg of the Village Loops Trail. Crossing ski tracks here would lead to a completely different adventure.

The final leg of the Village Loops Snowshoe Trail offers the occasional great mountain view but is predominantly through forest. There are some places of significant descent that might be uncomfortable for beginners and might not be suitable for some low end recreational snowshoes.

Arrival at well-groomed ski track signifies being close to the end of the trail. Trail etiquette requires stepping carefully over ski tracks without disturbing them. The final, short, stretch of trail is well-marked with red-orange diamonds on blue posts. It delivers me to within a few feet of where my car is parked.

Where the Sawmill Loop Snowshoe Trail exceeded my expectations, the Village Loops Snowshoe Trail did not. I am certain trail marking will be improved. It is a total distance of 2.5 km (1⅝ mile) trail if there are no route finding deviations. I believe the posted 40 m (131 ft) elevation specification refers to the net difference between the trailead and the highest elevation. There is considerable undulation on the trail which would increase the gross elevation gain.

This snowshoe is worthwhile. There are amazing views along Kananaskis Valley and Delta Lodge at Kananaskis amenities present a bonus for those who need to rent snowshoes at the site, or may wish to enjoy a meal or beverage at the end of the snowshoe.

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Comments

Agnes Lake is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It has been a few years since I have been there and a visit is long overdue. So much to do and so little time. I also try to use the trails off weekend when there is the opportunity to enjoy nature less interrupted. The Kananaskis Village trails are heavily used but it is an excellent place for beginners to visit, and try the sport, where snowshoe rentals are available conveniently at Kananaskis Outfitters. Thanks for your comment, Leigh. Perhaps we shall meet on the trails one day.

The standard route to the lookout is a steep climb which would require a technical set of snowshoes. I am not aware of a winter route but you have piqued my interest. As I recall, from one of yoyr previous posts, you are snowshoeing in Atlas Electra 10s or 12s with heel risers, so your gear should handle the steep incline route or a more gentle variation. On the Village Loops Trail, which is one of the 12 in the Kananaskis Country Snowshoe Trails Brochure, I made a right turn at the picnic table near the junction of Kovach and Terrace Link Trails so I did not get onto Kovach Trail at all. The next time I am out that way I will stop into Kananaskis Outfitters and inquire about a winter route to the abandoned fire lookout. Sorry, I cannot be more helpful, Andra. If you tackle the possibility successfully, I will be very interested in reading your post at Making Waves. Thanks for your comment. Best wishes.

I did just a short section of this trail early in the season. I still need to spend a lot more time exploring Kananaskis Country. Did a hike up to the Agnes Lake Teahouse today and I must say it is quite lovely with hardly a soul in sight in the winter.

Could you tell if folks had veered off anywhere along your route and headed up towards the Lookout? I would like to checkout the Lookout sometime soon. I have never been but I have read that the safe way in winter is to go up through the trees unless the open slope is lacking in snow then one could ascend that way.